Necktie accessory and combination

ABSTRACT

An article of neckwear. The article includes a garment and an accessory. The garment includes a first section, a second section, and a neck section between the first and second sections. The accessory includes a display portion and an attachment portion. The display portion has a front surface and a back surface. The attachment portion is connected to the display portion and configured to attach the accessory to the garment. The accessory is configured to be secured to the garment causing the first section and the second section to become set adjacent to each other, such that the front surface of the accessory is visible, at least one of the first section and the second section is visible, and the garment is secured around the user&#39;s neck without the garment needing to be tied into a knot and without the garment appearing as though the garment has been tied into a knot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/048,576, filed Sep. 10, 2014, entitled NECKTIE WITH ACCESSORY REPLACING THE KNOT, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of garment fastening and provides a new way of securing a necktie to a wearer, such that a knot is no longer required and the secured tie no longer has the appearance of being tied into a knot. Particularly, the present invention concerns an accessory that replaces the knot of a secured neck tie, as well as the accessory in combination with a necktie.

2. Description of Related Art

Garments specifically intended to be worn around the neck of the wearer have existed in the western world for many centuries. Some examples include the ascot, the scarf, the bolo, the bow tie, the cravat, and what is most commonly referred to today as the necktie. Consistently tied in a knot, the necktie has continuously held a place in traditional fashion, the business world, and especially formal attire. However, wearing a necktie in knot presents multiple drawbacks. The knots themselves can be difficult to tie and require experience to achieve in a presentable manner. The knot can cause the fabric the tie is made of to wrinkle, chafe, or degrade over time. A knotted neck tie typically requires a collared shirt and increase pressure or other forms of discomfort to the wearer. When tied more loosely that tie can appear crooked or sloppy. Although there are various ways to create the knot in a necktie, the differences between the way the knots appear are typically not noticeable and as such the options a wearer has for customizing the appearance of the necktie are very limited. Accordingly, a way to customize the appearance of a tie, reduce damage that results from securing a tie, simplify the stops to secure a tie, and increase the comfort of wearing a tie, while maintaining a fashionable look of a secured tie is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides an article of neckwear that includes a garment having a first end, a second end, a first section closer to the first end than the second end, a second section closer to the second end than the first end, and a neck section between the first section and the second section. The garment has a length sufficient to allow a user to place the neck section along a neck of the user such that the first section and the second section are below the neck of the user. The article of neckwear also includes an accessory having a display portion and an attachment portion. The display portion has a front surface and a back surface. The attachment portion is connected to the display portion and configured to attach the accessory to the garment. The accessory is configured to be secured to the garment causing the first section and second section to become set adjacent to each other, such that the front surface of the accessory is visible, at least one of the first section and the second section is visible, and the garment is secured around the neck of the user without the garment needing to be tied into a knot and without the garment appearing as though the garment has been tied into a knot.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an article of neckwear that includes a garment having a first end, a second end, a first section closer to the first end than the second end, a second section closer to the second end than the first end, and a neck section between the first section and the second section. The garment has a length sufficient to allow a user to place the neck section along a neck of the user such that the first section and the second section are below the neck of the user. The article of neckwear also includes an accessory having a display surface. The accessory is configured to be secured to the garment by placing the accessory around the garment causing the first section and the second section to become set adjacent to each other, such that at least a portion of the display surface of the accessory is visible, at least one of the first section and the second section is visible, and the garment is secured around the neck of the user without the garment needing to be tied into a knot and without the garment appearing as though the garment has been tied into a knot.

A further embodiment of the present invention includes an accessory for use with a garment to create an article of neckwear. The accessory includes a display portion including a front surface and a back surface; and an attachment portion connected to the display portion, the attachment portion configured to attach the accessory to a garment. The accessory is configured to secure a garment around a neck of a user without the garment needing to be tied into a knot and without the garment appearing as though the garment has been tied into a knot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of an embodiment of the present invention as secured around the shirt collar of a user.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view showing the front of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing the back of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing the front according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view showing the back of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a portion of a different embodiment of the present invention that includes a display plate.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view showing the back of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 provides an isometric view showing the back of a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 provides an isometric view showing the front of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 provides an isometric view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 provides an isometric view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 provides an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view showing the front of a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 provides an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 provides a front view of a portion of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 a is a front view of a portion of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 b is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24 a after having force applied to deform a portion of the embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a front view of a portion of a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 provides a front view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 provides a front view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a back view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a back view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 provides an isometric view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 provides an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 provides an isometric view of a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 provides an isometric view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 provides a front view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, can be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described presently preferred embodiments. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of selected presently preferred embodiments of the invention. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected presently preferred embodiments of the invention as claimed herein.

One embodiment of the present invention is an accessory that replaces the knot and provides a new way of using the necktie with an accessory. Many of the concerns previously described are solved by the present invention in a different way, and the present invention is preferable to tying a necktie into a knot because it allows the necktie to be used with greater ease, comfort and versatility, and generates a news item of clothing that can adapt to trends in fashion, and also provides a new component to express personality, convey a message or make a statement.

The present invention provides ease because it eliminates the practice and work of knotting the necktie without needing to develop, simulate, or hide the knot. The accessory doesn't give the appearance that the tie is secured in a knot because the present invention replaces the knot with an accessory, and no skill is required to secure the tie with the accessory.

Wearing a tie with the accessory that replaces the knot is more comfortable because the pressure in the neck can he adjusted at will without varying the appearance, and is less demanding because it does not require a collared shirt in order to be worn. A tie secured with that accessory can be used in different styles and the accessory can be attached to the tie at various distances from the neck of the wearer. For example, the accessory can secure the tie along the traditional location of a shirt collar, as well as a location well away from the neck; and may be combined with any shirt including collarless shirts.

The combination of the tie with the accessory that replaces the knot provides versatility in how to use the necktie as it allows countless combinations and change of positions of the necktie and the accessory while removing the stiffness associated with wearing a knotted tie and giving freedom in choosing the resulting appearance of the necktie.

The combination can be made of different kinds of accessories for the neckties, in an unlimited variety of styles, materials, colors, shapes and designs, both elegant, formal, semi-formal, informal or casual, which brings greater personal autonomy in the way the wearer dresses and uses the tie. For example, the same necktie can be worn each day with a new accessory that gives it a new style and makes it took different, according to the occasion.

The accessory provides a new way to wear a tie unknotted by replacing the traditional knot. The neck tie can go through the accessory, rolled, joined or overlapped with the accessory. Furthermore, the accessory represents an evolution in fashion because the accessory can be made in different shapes and designs o complement the personal style and define a style of dress, from the more formal and luxurious to the most casual and economic. For example, the accessory can have portion that has the shape of a Butterfly. There may be multiple models of accessories constructed in different ways. Each accessory may consist of one piece that the tie goes through, or be made of one or more pieces to facilitate binding, pressing, adhering, or fastening to the necktie, as well as other systems and closures.

In some embodiments a part of the accessory is visible when attached to a necktie and the visible part of the accessory may serve as a new element of promotion and advertising, which allows the possibility of expressing an attitude, conveying a message, or making a statement.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as having been placed around the collar of a shirt. The embodiment includes a garment 20, which can be placed around the collar of a shirt or also along the neck of the user. The garment 20 has a first end 21, a second end 22, a first section 23, a second section 24, and a neck section 25. The first section is closer to the first end 21 than the second end 22. The second section is closer to the second end 22 than the first end 21. The neck section 25 is between the first section 23 and the second section 24. The garment 20 has a length from the first end 21 to the second end 22 that is sufficient enough to allow the user to place the neck section 25 along the neck of the user or collar of the shirt being worn by the user and have the first section and second section rest below the neck of the user. The embodiment also includes an accessory 10 that is used to secure the garment 20 around the neck of the user or collar of the shirt being worn by the user. The accessory 10 includes a display portion 11, and an attachment portion 12. The display portion includes a front surface 113 and a back surface 15 (not shown), such that the attachment portion 12 is connected to the back surface 15 of the display portion 11. The attachment portion is configured to attach the accessory 10 to the garment 20, resulting in the garment 20 being secured about the user's neck or collar of the shirt being worn by the user. When attached to the garment 20, the accessory 10 causes the first section 23 and the second section 24 of the garment to become set adjacent to each other. For example, in FIG. 1, the accessory is illustrated as having caused the first section 23 of the garment to overlap the second section 24. However, such overlapping contact relationship is not achieved by some embodiments of the invention where the accessory may cause the first section 23 to simply become secured alongside, or parallel to, the second section 24. However, in other embodiments of the accessory the first section of the garment is not forced into contact with the second section of the garment. When attached to the garment 20, the front surface 13 of the display portion 11 is visible to other persons viewing the user. Also, at least one of the first and second sections (23, 24) of the garment 20 are similarly visible to persons viewing the user. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the accessory 10 secures the garment 20 to the user without the garment 20 needing to be tied into a knot, and without the garment 20 appearing as though it has been tied into a knot. By doing so the garment 20 does not experience as much stress and wear as would be caused by tying the garment 20 into a knot.

Preferably the garment 20 is a traditional neck tie, such that the garment has a substantially uniform thickness, and the first section of the garment has at least one width that is greater than the largest width of the second section of the garment. However, the garment may be of various materials and shapes, having various dimensions and configurations.

Another embodiment is an accessory configured for use with a garment to create an article of neckwear. As illustrated in FIG. 2, an accessory 10 includes a display portion 11 and an attachment portion 12. The attachment portion 12 is configured to attach the accessory 10 to the garment. The display portion includes a front surface 13 that is visible to others viewing the user when the accessory 10 is being used with a garment, and a back surface (not shown). In some embodiments, only a portion of the display surface 13 is visible when the accessory is being used with a garment. In FIG. 2, the attachment portion 12 is shown as including a pin 14, a hinge 41, and a corresponding clasp 42. The accessory 10 is configured such that when it is attached to a garment, the accessory 10 secures the garment around the neck of the user, or the collar of the user's shirt, without the garment needing to be tied into a knot and without the garment appearing as though it has been tied into a knot.

In other embodiments, such as FIG. 3, the attachment portion 12 of the accessory 10 includes a connector portion 14 and at least one magnet 43. Such embodiments may also include a hinge 41, or alternatively include a second magnet for connecting the connector portion 14 to the back surface 15 of the display portion 11 of the accessory 10. As such certain embodiments include an attachment portion that is detachable from the display portion. Such embodiments may include a detachable attachment portion that passes through the display portion in order to form the accessory, such as the attachment portion 12 shown in FIG. 6. The attachment portion of the accessory may also utilize elastic material or deformable material in some embodiments (FIGS. 10-14).

One embodiment of the accessory is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The accessory 10 includes a display portion 11 and an attachment portion 12. The display portion has a front surface 13 and a back surface 15. The attachment portion 12 is shown as including a first extension 16, a second extension 18, and a connector 14. The first and second extensions (16, 18) contact the back surface 15, such that a first distance exists between the locations that each extension contacts the back surface. The connector 14 has a length 31 at least equal to the first distance between the first and second extensions. The first and second extensions (16, 18) each have a length such that the connector 14 is separated from the back surface 15 by an average distance 33 that is shorter than the first distance. The first distance is sufficient to allow the first section and the second section of the garment to overlap between the first extension 16 and the second extension 18. The average distance 33 is sufficient to allow the first section and second. section of the garment to overlap between the back surface 15 and the connector 14. This embodiment allows the garment to be secured around the neck of the user without tying the garment in a knot and without appearing as though the garment has been tied in a knot.

Additional embodiments of the accessory have various configurations, such as those shown in FIGS. 10-18 and 28-36, but achieve the intended effect as described in relation to FIGS. 4-5.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment. Accessory 10 having a display portion 11, and an attachment portion 12, is used to secure garment 20 around the neck or shirt collar of the user. The display portion 11 of the accessory 10 has a front surface 13, a back surface (not shown), and a display plate 17. The display plate 17 can include a logo, message, or other decoration as the user desires. The display plate 17 can be detachable, but may also be fixed, or alternatively may be an integral part of the front surface 13. As such, the display plate 17 allows the accessory to be customized or decorated.

Other embodiments of the accessory have different configurations, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 28-31, but also display text or graphics on the surface of the accessory.

A different embodiment provides an article of neckwear that includes a garment and an accessory. The garment has a first end, a second end, a first section, a second section, and a neck section. The first section is closer to the first end than the second end. The second section is closer to the second end than the first end. The neck section is between the first section and the second section. The garment has a length from the first end to the second end that is sufficient to allow the user to place the neck section along the neck of the user or collar of the shirt being worn by the user and have the first section and second section rest below the neck of the user. The accessory, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, includes a display surface 10 and is configured such that the accessory can be placed around the garment by either passing the first section and second section of the garment through the accessory or wrapping the accessory around the first section and second section of the garment. Preferably the first section and second section become set adjacent to each, and in some embodiments are overlapped once the accessory has been secured to the garment. The accessory may be deformable under sufficient force in order to secure the garment by placing the accessory around the first section and second section of the garment and applying such sufficient force. At least a portion of the accessory can be of such deformable materials as metals, elastics, rubbers, and plastics, or others. Accordingly, by using the accessory the garment can be secured around the neck or shirt collar of the user without tying the garment in a knot and without appearing as though the garment has been tied in a knot.

Other embodiments of the accessory implement various configurations and materials, such as those shown in FIGS. 19-22, 24 a, and 24 b, while achieving the intended effect as described in relation to FIGS. 7-9.

Further embodiments of the article of neckwear utilize various combinations of accessories and various combinations of one or more accessories with one or more garments, such as those shown in FIGS. 23-27, but achieve the same result as the articles of neckwear described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 6.

In some embodiments of the article of neckwear an existing apparatus can be put to a new use as the accessory in combination with a garment. For example, a belt buckle, brooch, ring, or bracelet could be utilized as the accessory if its configuration contains a necessary attachment portion, of the accessory as described above, such that the existing apparatus can function in a new way to secure a garment around the neck of the user without the garment needing to be tied in a knot and without the garment appearing as though it has been tied into a knot.

As should be readily understood, the embodiments stated above are not intended to define the scope of the materials or dimensions able to be utilized within the present invention. Various materials and dimensions may be used for the features described therein, and those set forth above are to serve as examples of preferred embodiments.

In this regard, any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into one single embodiment, and all features of a given embodiment need not be included in other embodiments. Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally known and future developed variations and modifications to the components and materials described herein, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction(s) without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing(s) shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of neckwear comprising: a garment having a first end, a second end, a first section closer to the first end than the second end, a second section closer to the second end than the first end, and a neck section between the first section and the second section, the first section has at least one width that is greater than the largest width of the second section, the garment having a substantially uniform thickness and having a length sufficient to allow a user to place the neck section along a neck of the user such that the first section and the second section are below the neck of the user; and an accessory having a display portion and an attachment portion, the display portion including a front surface and a back surface, the attachment portion connected to the display portion and configured to attach the accessory to the garment; wherein: the accessory is configured to be secured to the garment causing the first section and second section to become set adjacent to each other, such that: the front surface of the accessory is visible, at least one of the first section and the second section is visible, and the garment is secured around the neck of the user without the garment needing to be tied into a knot and without the garment appearing as though the garment has been tied into a knot.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises: a first extension disposed on the back surface of the display portion; a second extension disposed on the back surface of the display portion, the second extension separated from the first extension by a first distance; a connector having a length, the connector configured to extend between the first and second extension, such that the first and the second extension separate the connector from the back surface of the display portion by an average distance that is shorter than the first distance; wherein, the first distance is sufficient to allow the first section and the second section of the garment to overlap between the first extension and the second extension, and the average distance is sufficient to allow the first section and the second section to overlap between the connector and the back surface of the display portion of the accessory, such that the accessory is secured to the garment and the garment is secured around the neck of the user without damaging the garment.
 3. The article of claim 2, wherein the length of the connector is at least equal to the first distance.
 4. The article of claim 2, wherein the length of the connector is less than the first distance.
 5. The article of claim 2, wherein the first distance extends along the back surface of the display portion.
 6. The article of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion of the accessory further comprises a hinge, and a connector.
 7. The article of claim 6, wherein the connector comprises a pin.
 8. The article of claim 6, wherein the attachment portion of the accessory comprises a latch.
 9. The article of claim 8, wherein the latch comprises a magnet and the connector comprises magnetic material.
 10. The article of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises at least one of an elastic material and a deformable material.
 11. The article of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is detachable front the display portion.
 12. The article of claim 1, wherein the display portion comprises a detachable display plate.
 13. An article of neckwear comprising: a garment having a first end, a second end, a first section closer to the first end than the second end, a second section closer to the second end than the first end, and a neck section between the first section and the second section, the first section has at least one width that is greater than the largest width of the second section, the garment having a substantially uniform thickness and a length sufficient to allow a user to place the neck section along a neck of the user such that the first section and the second section are below the neck of the user; and an accessory having a display surface; wherein: the accessory is configured to be secured to the garment by placing the accessory around the garment causing the first section and the second section to become set adjacent to each other, such that: at least a portion of the display surface of the accessory is visible, at least one of the first section and the second section is visible, and the garment is secured around the neck of the user without the garment needing to be tied into a knot and without the garment appearing as though the garment has been tied into a knot.
 14. The article of claim 13, therein the accessory comprises deformable material.
 15. The article of claim 14, wherein at least part of the accessory is deformable such that the accessory is configured to be secured to the garment by applying sufficient force to said at least part of the accessory.
 16. The article of claim 13, therein the display surface comprises a detachable display plate.
 17. An accessory for use with a garment to create an article of neckwear, the accessory comprising: a display portion including a front surface and a back surface; and an attachment portion connected to the display portion, the attachment portion configured to attach the accessory to a garment; wherein the accessory is configured to secure a garment around a neck of a user without the garment needing to be tied into a knot and without the garment appearing as though the garment has been tied into a knot.
 18. The article of claim 17, wherein at least part of the attachment portion is deformable such that the accessory is configured to be secured to the garment by applying sufficient force to said at least part of the attachment portion.
 19. The article of claim 17, wherein the attachment portion comprises: a first extension disposed on the back surface of the display portion; a second extension disposed on the back surface of the display portion, the second extension separated from the first extension by a first distance; a connector having a length, the connector configured to extend between the first and second extension, such that the first and the second extension separate the connector from the back surface of the display portion by an average distance that is shorter than the first distance; wherein, the first distance is sufficient to allow the first section and the second section of the garment to become set adjacent to each other between the first extension and the second extension, and the average distance is sufficient to allow the first section and the second section to overlap between the connector and the back surface of the display portion of the accessory, such that the accessory is secured to the garment and the garment is secured around the neck of the user without damaging the garment.
 20. The article of claim 17, wherein the display portion comprises a detachable display plate. 